TxDOT publishes names of 25 worst toll violators

People arrive for the opening of Texas 130 just west of Lockhart, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. The toll road, which runs from IH-10 just east of Seguin, connects with Texas 45, a toll road that circumvents Austin.

Photo By Helen L. Montoya / San Antonio Express-News

Texas 130 is the state's first public-private toll road.

Photo By William Luther

A car is unofficially clocked going 88 mph Wednesday afternoon Oct. 24, 2012 on the southern extension of Texas 130 from Seguin to Austin on the toll road's opening day. The road has the highest speed limit--85 mph--of any road in the country.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Texas Gov. Rick Perry carries the scissors during a ceremony for the opening of Texas 130 just west of Lockhart, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012.

A law passed during the last legislative session authorized TxDOT to release the names of chronic toll transgressors.

The worst violation on the list, published online Thursday morning: A $236,026 unpaid tab for 14,358 toll violations.

It doesn't get much better from there. In all, two vehicle owners owe more than $200,000; 14 owe more than $100,000; three owe more than $90,000; and six racked up tolls of more than $80,000.

At least 28,000 vehicle owners across the state have at least 100 unpaid tolls.

All of that is money that could go to pay debt and fund operations for the roads, TxDOT says.

No San Antonio residents appear to be on the list, but that's not too surprising, since the Alamo City remains toll-road free. Everyone in the top 25 has an address in the Austin-area, where there is a large network of toll roads.

TxDOT can go a step further than publicly embarrassing the worst violators. They can also ban those vehicles from using TxDOT toll roads or report those drivers to county tax assessor-collectors so they might not be able to renew their vehicle registration.